Sewing-machine.



W. C. FREE.A

SEWING MACHINE;

APPLICATION FILED AUGJ; |915.

1,245,212.v 1 Pamed Nov. 6, 19W.

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W. C. FREE.

sawme MAcmNE. APPLICATION FILED AUGJ. i915.

1-,245-,21 2. mmm Nov. 6, 19W.

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vSEWING MACHINE.

APPmoATIoN msu AuGJ. 19'15.

Patented Nov 6, 1917.

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WILLIAM Cf FREE, OF ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS.

SEWING-MACHINE.

speeiaeation of Lettersratent. i 2 Patented Nov.`6, 1917.

Application led August 7, 1915. Serial No. 44,235. l

To all Iwhom t may concern.' u

Be it known that I, WILLIAM C. FREE, va citizen of the .United States, .residing at Rockford, in the county of lVinnebago and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sewing-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates more particularly to the support, table or cabinet of the machine. Irior to my invention sewing machines have ordinarily been mounted on a cast metalV frame which supports a table top upon which the sewing machine head is permanently mounted. It has also been common prior to my invention to so mount-the lhead of the machine upon a pivoted or reciprocating support, that it may be concealed within theframe when not in use, and a pivoted leaf has been combined with suchV a movable support so that when the leaf is swung outward or extended to one side of the table or cabinet the head support is raised thereby. All these structures, however, leave exposed to view the, unsightly ymeta-l frame of the machine and its moving parts. In order to avoid this objection the frame hassometimes been completely inclosed in a cabinet, the front of which is hinged or otherwise connected so that it may be opened when the machine is to be Vused for access to the treadle and other parts of the machine. Such cabinets, in order to fully conceal the machine, have been provided with floors or bottoms, which not only catch dirt and refuse but necessitate pivoting the treadle higher up in the machine than is comfortable or convenient for working, and cabinets of this character have the further disadvantage that they inclose the machine on three sides when in use and shut off ventilation thus increasing the discomfort of the operator. The advantage of a sewing machine cabinet which is open at the bottom or substantially raised from the floor has been recognized, but the diiiiculty. heretofore'has been that, ordinarily, the treadle, if it is located low enough in theimachine forthe comfort and convenience of the operator, is

visible when the cabinet is closed. It hasA been proposed, in order to obviate this dificulty, to mountthe treadle and thedriving wheel .0f .the machinerie vertically recinto;

l cable frame which. may be raised when the cabinet is closed and lowered for use when the cabinet is open,.this construction being combined with a v support for the sewing machine head which maybe lowered at the same time that the treadle and wheely are raised and 'raised when the latter are lowered. f Thisconstruction, however, is objectionable because lof the weight of the movable parts and the vconsequent labor in movingthem, `and further because either thev parts must be so closely fitted as to engender considerable friction thereby increasing the difliculty ofoperating them, or else they rattle during the operation of the machine.

My invention provides Aa cab-inet in which the legs andfeet yof the operator are substantially ukninclosed when usi-ng lthe machine,V in which the frame and mechanism including the treadle and head of the machine are entirely concealed when the cabinet is closed, so that there is no suggestion of mechanism about the cabinet when` closed, and in which during use the parts are most conveniently located. The. machine is readily and with little effort opened up for use or closed when its use is finished, the parts which it is necessary to move bei-ng light and so .pivoted as to require little effort to shift them. A

In vthe accompanying drawings I have shown and in the following specification describedy in detail a` preferred form of my invention. It is to be understood, however, that the specic disclosure is for the purpose of exempliiication only and that the scope of the invention is defined in the following claims in which I have endeavored to p distinguish it from the prior art soV far as known to me without, however, relinquishing orv` abandoning Yany portion or feature thereof. n

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view-of my invention showing the cabinet closed; Fig. 2 a plan view of the machinewith the parts in the .position which they occupy when the machine is in use; Fig. 3 is a front elevation of thel machine with the parts in the same` position; Fig. 4 is a vertical transverseV section onthe ylinea-1L of Fig/3; Fig. 5 is asimilar view of the upper portion of the machine withthe parts in the position which they bv a suitable cross brace or strut 13 and connected at their tops by the machine table top 1st which is screwed or otherwise secured thereto. The generall outline of the end frames is 'rectangular to conform to the shape fof the cabinet, the back 15 and the stationary end walls 16 yof which may be screwed or otherwisefastened thereto. rl`he stationary end walls, however, extend only about half way forward of the top of the cabinet, the forward half of the machine being inclosed by swinging walls as will presently appear, At their upper ends the end frames extend substantially-the full depth of the ltable top as at 17, and the base of the end frames are of similar extent, but intermediate the top and base portions the end frames only extend about half way from the back of the machine or to the same extent as the p stationary end walls, the purpose of which construction is that the operator may, if desired, sit with one foot outside the end frame without being unnecessarily hampered thereby, which is sometimes convenient because of the location of the needle.

rl`he inclosure of the cabinet is completed by a pair of swinging members 19, 20, which are hinged as at 21 to the front edges of the stationary side walls and when closed in the position shown in Fig. 1 complete the respective end walls.V A panel 22, 23, is rigidly connected to each of the swinging end walls at right angles thereto and when the end walls are swung into the position shown in Fig. 1 said panels together form the front of the cabinet. ,y

As shown more particularly in Fig. 4 the end frames are each formed with substantially straight vertical legs at the front and p back, the back legs fitting in the corner between the rigid end walls and the back wall of the cabinet, and the/total depth of the end walls is such as to bring the front legs of the end frames accurately into the corners of the swinging doors composed o-f the swinging end walls and front panels. The front legs arev oifset forwardly and outwardly and the rear legs rearwardly and outwardly as at 24, 24:, to form housings for the casters 25, and the walls of the cabinet are provided at these'corners with downward extensions forming legs which embrace and conceal the metal legs of the frame and fit in over the shoulders formed by the caster housings. f n

As heretofore sta-ted the frame is provided with a drop head mechanism whereby when the machine is not in use the head is concealed. in the cabinet, and this mechanism is substantially the same as that shown in my Patent,1,005,952, granted to me October 17, 1911, and therefore need not be described in detail here, except in so far as it is modified to adapt it for use in connection withA the present invention. The table top is formedwith a rectangularopening 26 to the forward-edge of which the head support and drip pan 27 are hinged at 28, the head of the machine being connected to the support inany suitable or well-known manner. A yoke or rock shaft 29 is pivoted at 30 in bearings in the respective end frames and connected by a pair of links 31 to the free edge of the head support in such manner` that by swinging the yoke or cradle the head support is swung from the lowered position shown in Fig. to lthe raised position shown in Fig. il' and vice-versa. For the purpose of swinging the yoke `or cradle it is-formed with a segment or sector' 32 which is connected by a chain 33, see Fig. 4, with a link 34 which is in turn pivotally connected to the customary hinge-leaf 35i Said link, as

shown more particularly in Fig. 7, is pivoted in a housing 3G let into a groove in the hinged edge of the leaf 35 and secured thereto by the fiange 37. The housing forms a complete lining for the groove inthe hinged leaf and a bearing for the link 84 when the leaf'is horizontal, shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

The table top is slotted in register `with the groove in the hinged leaf, the slot 38 extending a suflicient distanceinside the end frame of the machineY to permit said link to move freely therethrough in swinging the leaf from open to closed position, and viceversa, and the end frame is cast with an outwardly extending lug or bracket 38 which is received into the lower part of the slot 38 and forms a rest or support for the link when the latter is in horizontal position, The free or swinging end of the link is slotted as at 39 and receives a clevis to which the chain 33 is attached. The segment on the yoke about the curved periphery of which the chain extends maintains the alinement ofthe chain during the swinging of the yoke. By reason of the ,construction just described the swinging of the hingeleaf vfrom the closed'- position in which it constitutes a cover for the table top to the open position raises the head support and head of the sewing machine. Vhen in the open position the leaf is supported not only by its, hinges and the link but also by the front section or door 22 of the cabinet which in the open position extends beneath said leaf, as indicated in dot-.ted lines kIl Fg- 2. In order that the machine head may swing through the opening in the table top the opening must be made larger than it is desii-able tomake a head support and in order to close the space between said head support and thevrear edge of said opening an apron is pivoted to the head support by metal straps 4l -and supported in raised position 4from the head support by the brackets 42.

W hen lowered within the cabinet the apron takes the position shown in Fig. 5.

The driving wheel 43 of the machine, Ias shown in Figs. 3 and 4, isjournaled on a stationary arbor 44 which is secured by the nut 45 to the Spider Or strut 13 connecting the side frames. SaidY driving wheel is, as usual, directly under the pulleyI 4:6. Of the machine head and connected thereto by the strap 47 which extends through suitable openings provided in the head support and apron forthe purpose. The guard 48 about thel lower halt of the driving wheel serves to maintain the strap in proper relation to the driving wheel when the machine head is lowered.

In order that the treadle 49 may be in proper position for operation when the machine is opened up and may be entirely7 concealedwithin the cabinet wheny closed, notwithstanding the open construction of the lowerportion of the same, I have devised the following construction. The treadle 49 is journaled at 5() in arms 51, 52, secured respectively to the inner sides of the end frames at 53 (see Fig. 4). These arms are rectangular or L-shaped and when n the lower position shown in F ig. 4 .the radial portions thereof are horizontal and masked by the horizontal bars 54 ofthe side frames to which they are pivoted, and the downwardly turned extensions 55 of said arms which carry the treadle near their lower ends are formed with sockets 56 to receive the connecting bar 57 extending between` the arms and constituting therewith a treadle supporting frame. At its rear righthand corner the treadle is formed as usual with a laterally extending arm 58 which is biturcated at 59 t0 ,receive the end of the pitinan 60 which is pivoted therein. The other end Of the pitinan is connected in any approved manner as at Gl to the driving wheel. Vhen lowered into operating position the arms of the treadle supporting frame are supported upon studs 62 projecting inwardly from the side frames.

ln order that the treadleV supporting frame may be raised at the same time and by the same means by which the headsupport is lowered and vice-versa, a link 63 connects the arm 52 with a lug 64 upon the cradle` or yoke 29, the lower end of said pitman or link being pivoted in a slot 65 in thearm 50. kFrom an inspection of Fig.

` quired.

is obvious that ,as the .yoke is .swung ceal or lower the machine head is limited by ,an extension stop 66 formed upon the Y lug k64 coming in contact with a stationary i part of the machine frame.

rIhe .parts above described are so designed that when the treadle support is in raised position the pivots are just above the lower edge of the wall of the cabinet. It is necessary 'therefore in order that the treadle may not appearthat it be substantially horizontal-when in vthis position. lVith this object in view the weight of the driving wheel is reduced at l67 along the portion of its periphery adjacent the pivotal point of the pitmanr so that the weight lof the latter is so compensated for that the treadle will remain in the horizontal position when raised and therefore out of sight.

By pivoting the treadle support in the manner just described and connecting it to the yoke it serves to substantially counterbalance the head in opening and closing the machine thereby reducing the eliort re- Furthermore they construction is such because of the pivotal connection and the stops employed that the device is substantially as rigid as though the treadle were pivoted directly in the end frames and thus rattle and vibration from this part of the construction is substantially eliminated. ln my construction, further, the driving wheel is mounted directly on a. stationary part of the frame and takes no part in the vertical movement either of the treadle or of the sewing machine head thus reducing the weight of parts to be shifted and minimizing the vibration and rattle of the machine.

I claim:

l. In a sewing machine, a main frame, a cabinet.surrounding the frame concealing the legs ,thereof but cut away intermediate the legs at itslower end, a yswinging frame pivoted to the main frame above the cutaway portion ot the cabinet on an axis parallel to the front of the cabinet, a treadle pivoted on said swinging frame, a head moyable on the main frame from a position within to a position without and above the cabinet and connections between said headand the swinging trame whereby the raising of the head lowers the swinging frame.

2. In a sewing machine, a main frame, a cabinet surrounding the frame and concealing the legs thereof but cut away intermediate the legs at its lower end, a swinging rame-pyoted to the man frame above the cut-away portion or" the cabinet on an axis parallel to the front of the cabinet, said swinging frame .comprising a pair efldowllf los wardly bent angular arms, stops on the main frame engaging said arms when the latter are in the lowered position, a treadle pivoted in the lower ends of said arms, a head mov able on the main frame from a position within to a position without and above the cabinet, and connections between said head and swinging frame whereby when the head is raised the swinging frame is lowered.

3. In a. sewing machine, a main frame, a cabinet surrounding the frame and concealing the legs thereof but cut away intermediate the legs at its lower end, a station-l ary journal on the main frame, a driving i wheel mounted on the stationary journal, a

swinging frame pivoted to the main frame air-ove the cut-away portion of the cabinet on an axis parallel to the front of the cabinet, a treadle pivoted on said swinging frame, a head movable on the main frame from a position within to a position without and above the cabinet, and connections bes tween said head and the swinging frame whereby the'raising of the head lowers the swinging frame.

el. In a sewing machine, a main frame, a cabinet surrounding the frame and concealing the legs thereof, but cut away intermediate the legs at its lower end, a sta-tionary bearing on said frame, a driving wheel journaled on the bearing, a sewing machine head pivotally mounted on the frame and adapted to be moved from a position within. the frame to a position above the same and outside the cabinet, means for raising and lowering said head, a swinging frame pivoted to the main frame above the cut-away portion of the cabinet on an axis parallel to the front of the cabinet, a treadle pivoted on said swinging frame at the free end thereof, and connections between the sewing machine head and said frame whereby when the sewing machine head is in its upper position the treadle is lowered to opera-tive position, and when the sewing machine head is in lowered position the treadle is held in a substantially horizontal position immediately above the cut-away portion of the cabinet.

5. In a sewing machine table, a swinging support for a sewing machine head, a driving wheel mounted on a stationary bea-ring, a swinging frame, a treadle journaled upon said swinging frame, a connection from said treadle to said driving wheel and connec tions comprising a link and an intermediate lever for simultaneously raising said head support and lowering said swinging frame.

6. In a sewing machine, a main frame, a r'swinging support for a sewing machine head. a driving wheel mounted on a stationary bearing, a swinging frame pivoted on a transverse axis within the main frame, a treadle journaled upon said swinging frame, a connection from said treadle to said driving wheel and connections comprising an intermediate link and lever for simultaneously raising said head support and lowerinfrsaid swinging frame.

i'. In av sewing Vmachine, a stationary frame, a. head adapted to be raised and` lowered, a rock shaft journaled in the stationary frame, a connection between the head and rock shaft for raising the former, a treadle support consisting of a frame movable in a vertical pla-ne,l a treadle on said support, a driving wheel, a pitman connecting said treadle anddriving wheel and a connection between said rock shaft and frame'to raise and lower the treadle.

8. In a sewing machine table, a stationary frame, a pivoted headsupport, a swinging yoke journaled in the stationary frame, a connection between the head support and the swinging yoke for raising the former, a treadle support consisting of a swinging frame pivoted to the stationary frame, a treadle on said support, a driving wheel,

a pitman connecting said treadle and driving wheel, and a connection between said swinging yoke and frame to raise and lower the treadle.

9. In a sewing machine table, a stationary frame, a swinging head support pivoted therein, a swinging yoke also journaled in said frame, links connecting saidV swinging j Yyoke and head support, a. treadle support consisting of a swinging frame pivoted in the stationary frame, a link connecting said treadle support and swinging yoke, atreadle on saidsupport, a driving wheel mounted on a stationary bearing and apitinan connecting said driving wheel and treadle.

10. In a sewing machine table, front, sidey and end walls extending nearlyto the floor,

a movable frame, means for raising and lowering said frame, a treadle pivoted in said frame and adapted to be raised and lowered therewith, afdriving wheel, a connection between the driving wheel and treadle, the movable system comprising the treadle, driving wheel and connection being so weighted as to always maintain the treadle in a position in which it is substantially concealed by the walls of the table. y

11. In a sewing machine table, a swinging frame, means for raising and lowering said swinging frame, a treadle pivoted in said frame and adapted to be raised and lowered therewith, a driving wheel, a connection between the driving wheel and treadle, the movable system comprising the treadle, driving wheel and connection being so weighted as to always maintain the treadle when at rest in a substantially horizontal position.

12. In a sewing machine table, a movable frame, means for raising and lowering said frame, a treadle pivoted in said frame and adapted to be raised and lowered therewith,

a driving wheel, a connection between the g,

driving wheel and treadle, the wheel being so counterweighted as to maintain the treadle substantially level when at rest.

13. In a sewing machine table, a frame comprising end frames having front and rear legs, a cabinet adapted and arranged to inclose said frame comprising pivoted end walls and doors for closing the opening in the cabinet front between said end walls, the front legs itting respectively in the corners between the corresponding end wall and door when the cabinet is closed and bracing the same.

14. In a sewing machine table, a rigid frame comprising an end frame having a front leg, a cabinet secured to said frame and adapted to inclose the same, comprising pivoted side walls and doors for closing the front of the cabinet attached to said side walls, said leg fitting in the corners between the corresponding wall and door when the cabinet is closed and bracing the same.

15. In a sewing machine table, a frame comprising a pair of end frames each having a substantially vertical front leg, an open bottom cabinet secured to said frame and adapted to inclose the same comprising walls, the intermediate portions of which terminate at substantial distances short of the lower ends of said leg and which are extended at the corners to substantially mask said legs.

16. In a sewing machine table, a rigid frame having legs at the corners thereof, a cabinet secured to said frame and inclosing the same, the walls whereof at their intermediate portions terminate a material distance above the lower ends of said legs and which are extended at the corners of said cabinet to mask said legs.

17. In a sewing machine table, a rigid frame comprising a pair of end frames, each having a front leg, a cabinet secured to said frame and adapted to inclose the same and comprising a stationary back, pivoted side walls and doors for closing the front of the cabinet rigidly attached to said side walls perpendicularly thereto, the front legs respectively fitting into the angles between the side walls and doors and bracing the same.

18. In a sewing machine table, a rigid frame comprising a pair of end frames, each having a leg, an offset caster support connected to said leg and forming a shoulder with respect thereto, a cabinet attached to said frame comprising a stationary back and a pivoted wall, legs upon the wall adapted when said walls are closed to overhang the shoulders on the frame legs and sections supported on said end walls for closing the front of the cabinet.

19. In a sewing machine table, a frame formed with front and rear legs, a cabinet inclosing said frame comprising a pair lof stationary walls, a pair of pivoted walls, said walls terminating a material distance short of the ends of said legs at their intermediate portions and extended at thecorners of said cabinet to conceal said legs.

20. In a sewing machine table, a pair of end frames formed with forwardly projecting legs, a cabinet for inclosing said frameV comprising a stationary black, a pair of stationary end walls, a pair of pivoted end walls, a front section rigid with each end wall and legs formed on said end walls and front sections adapted to inclose the legs on the stationary frame upon two sides thereof.

21. In a sewing machine table, a stationary frame, a frame pivoted therein, means for raising and lowering the pivoted frame, a treadle mounted on the pivoted frame, a driving wheel, a driving connection between the driving wheel and treadle, the system comprising the treadle connection and driving wheel being so weighted as to normally bring the treadle to rest in a predetermined position and an open bottom cabinet surrounding said frame and adapted to inclose the same.

22. In a sewing machine table, a rectangular frame, a top on said frame, a cabinet inclosing the frame comprising stationary side walls, swinging side walls hinged to said stationary walls and front sections rigidly secured to said swinging walls, the vertical corners of the cabinet engaging and braced by the frame.

WILLIAM C. FREE.

Witnesses:

D. M. DURKEE, K. I I. KRUEGER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

